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Before you arrive

Congratulations on accepting your offer to study at the University of Sydney! Now it’s time to plan and prepare for your big move to Sydney. Here’s all the things to sort out before you arrive.

New Q test

Prepare for your move

Talk to someone to help you prepare

If you have any questions about how to prepare for life in Sydney or at university, you can speak with one of our Peer Support Advisors who are current University students or fill out the Living in Sydney enquiry form.

Essentials

Before you arrive, there are some essential steps you need to take.

  • Apply for your student visa Once you’ve accepted your unconditional offer from us and received an ‘electronic confirmation of enrolment’, it’s time to obtain your student visa. Your visa can take a while to process, so apply as soon as possible. Find out more about how to apply for your visa.
  • Organise your health cover Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is health insurance for international students that helps to cover medical costs in Australia. It is a condition of your student visa that you maintain OSHC for the duration of your studies. Find out more about how to arrange your OSHC.
  • Plan when to arriveIf you can, arrive in Sydney at least three weeks before semester starts. This will give you time to settle in, meet people, and do some sightseeing. You'll also be in time to attend our Welcome Program, which starts 3 weeks before classes. Don't forget to check the University’s study dates. 
  • Plan your airport transport Once you’ve booked your flights, plan your transport from the airport. The University offers a free airport shuttle service to central Sydney locations for new, enrolled international students. Alternately, you can arrange your own transport.
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Stay safe from scams

Scammers might target international students studying in Australia. We have information about some common scams so that you can study safely and know what to do if you encounter a scam. Find out about how to avoid common scams.

Airport shuttle

As a new international student, you can now book your seat for the free airport shuttle bus. This service is available 24 hours a day from 17 June to 2 September 2024, and departs from Sydney Airport’s international and domestic terminals.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a free seat on the bus you need to:

  • be a new international student
  • have completed enrolment in Sydney Student
  • arrive at Sydney Airport’s international or domestic terminals between 17 June – 2 September
  • pre-book at least 48 hours before you arrive.

Unfortunately extra people you're travelling with, such as family members, aren't eligible for a free seat and will need to pay for themselves.

How to book

To book your seat, complete the booking form on the 2airport website.

  • You'll need to make a booking at least 48 hours before you arrive. If you don't, you'll need to pay for the shuttle bus yourself.
  • We'll send you an email confirmation once you've successfully made your booking.

Destinations

The service area covers several suburbs in the Greater Sydney region. To check if your address is within the service area, open the booking form and select the "i" symbol next to the destination address field. Once you type your destination address, the green button at the bottom of the booking form will display 'Book - Free' if your address is valid and within the free service area.

If you need help completing the booking form, or your destination is not listed or supported, use the live chat option on the 2airport website.

Luggage

Each passenger is allowed 2 carry-on items and 2 baggage items. If you bring more than this, you'll need to pay for the extra bags yourself.

Booking changes

You'll be able to make changes to your booking using the link that will be in your confirmation email.

More information

If you have any questions about the free airport shuttle service, please contact the University online by completing the Living in Sydney enquiry form.

Accommodation and living costs

Have you thought about where you'd like to live once you get to Sydney and how much it will cost? Before you leave home, explore all the housing options available so you can find the right one for you, know how to protect yourself when renting, and work out how much money you'll need while you study. You'll find links to useful resources and websites on our Accommodation and living costs page.

More ways to get ready

Check our these resources for some more great tips and tricks:

QUALTRICS
Last updated: 28 June 2024

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